Q&A: South Sudan’s Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare on Africa’s Newest Nation and its Women @unwomen

UN Women has posted an interview with South Sudan’s Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, Agnes Lasuba!

“On 9 July 2011 the world witnessed the birth of a nation — South Sudan, Africa’s 54th country. In an interview with UN Women, South Sudan’s Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare Agnes Lasuba weighs in on the country’s independence and what it means for women.”

Here’s an excerpt:

“What does South Sudan’s independence mean for women?

“South Sudan means a lot for women because they went through hardships during more than 20 years of war. For those women who lost their husbands and sons, they are overjoyed because their spouses and sons did not die in vain, they fought for freedom and South Sudan got freedom. To women it also means peace and stability. It is time for them to develop themselves because during the war they could not progress. With freedom things will be different — things will be better. The independence will bring basic services, like access to health, education, sanitation and clean drinking water to name a few.”